Top 10 Post-Birth Supplies I Wish I Had Upon Returning Home with Baby

Photo by Rakratchada – freedigitalphotos.net

As a first-time mom, I heard I would get supplies at the hospital to take home, but I didn’t prepare for my return home and ended up needing so much more.

I received tucks pads, sanitary pads, castor oil, preparation H, dermoplast pain relief spray, hospital undies, a Sitz bath, and a peri-bottle, but I ran out of a few supplies and needed additional ones.

Besides what is given to you at the hospital, here are some things to consider having on hand before your return home:

1. Extra Tucks Pads: I used 4-5 more containers worth within a couple of weeks! It helps soothe and cleanse.

2. Unscented pads & thin panty liners: you may run out of pads sooner than you know and eventually you’ll want to transition to thin pads. My favorite thin pads are the Kotex Thin Minces since they are not bulky.

3. Ibuprofen: this was my best friend after giving birth. Reduce inflammation and pain by using a safe pain reliever approved by your doctor. I not only had pain from down below, but a headache for days.

4. Stool softener (Colace a.k.a Docusate): your digestive track may be off for a few days. If you get hemorrhoids or a bad tear, a doctor approved stool softener can be helpful.

5. Donut cushion: Your bottom may be sore depending on the severity of your tear or hemorrhoids. A good donut cushion may help relieve some of the pressure of sitting on your bottom especially on your drive home. A boppy or a horse-shoe shaped traveling pillow may be used as a substitute.

6. High Fiber Granola Bars: you’ll need a good snack close by for when you are lying in bed. I couldn’t eat the first week, but when I was hungry, I didn’t have much around. These would have been nice especially if you are breastfeeding and need a quick pick-me-up. Choose high fiber to be safe unless you are 100% sure you won’t have any issues using the restroom.

7. Heating Pad: I didn’t realize how useful a heating pad could be. I had some of the worst stomach pains and a heating pad helped relax my body, including my sore back.

8. Ice pack: Some of you may need an ice pack ready and available when you get home. Keep one ready to go in the fridge just in case.

9. Quality pump or hospital grade rental: from day 1, I had difficulty breastfeeding. A pump could help with engorgement or help you build your milk supply. I wish I had this on hand! My milk supply needed a boost and a pump would’ve really helped. The hospital gave me a manual pump, but I couldn’t even get a drop of milk out of it.

10. Nipple cream: breastfeeding can be sore in the beginning and a good nipple cream may help soothe the affected area. I love the Nuk Natural Lanolin with Avocado.

Those are some of the top ten items I wish I had on hand when I returned home from the hospital. It would have saved a lot of time and hassle.

If there’s something that helped you during your post-birth experience, please share! For me, my post-birth experience was worse than labor itself, so I know in the future I will be well stocked up for the next baby.

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Hello! It's nice to meet you! I'm Mary. Thank you for stopping by Stirring Up Delight. I hope you'll find some useful tips, recipes, and reviews or maybe a story or two that you might enjoy. Read More…

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